Čumil — Attraction in Bratislava

This is surely a quirky statue in Bratislava, the Capital of the Slovak Republic. His name is Čumil, the Slovak word actually means “watcher”. It only takes a quick glance at the face of the man at work at the junction of Laurinská and Panská Streets to understand why he goes by the name “the watcher”. The bronze statue, with a grin on his face, peeks his head from underneath a manhole cover in the Old Town and he is popular among tourists and locals alike. You cannot visit Bratislava without saying hi to Čumil! And make sure to take a photo – this is actually one of the most photographed objects in Bratislava.

Čumil is one of many statues in the Old Town of Bratislava. Other statues include Paparazzi, Schöner Náci, and Napoleon’s Soldier. These statues appeared in 1997, a couple of years after Slovak independence. This was at a time when the city was polishing its image after its Communist past. Čumil is the work of Slovak sculptor Viktor Hulík. The artist was born in 1947 in Bratislava.

As for Čumil, there are a couple of theories about his name. Maybe he’s resting after a hard day’s work cleaning the sewers or perhaps he’s a typical communist-era worker who works little and watches a lot or maybe he’s just trying to get a look under the ladies’ skirts.... Anyway, this sympathetic man seems to enjoy his surroundings.

There are careless drivers everywhere and Bratislava is no exception! The poor statue actually lost his head twice. Because of this, he was given his own road sign that reminds passers-by of the man at work.

Legend has it that those who touch the head of the man will get a wish come true – if they manage to keep it a secret forever.

How to find Him? The best way to find this spot is on foot. Amongst the cafés, restaurants, and shops of the Old Town, you will find the statue. It is situated in the front the corner of Rybárska brána (Fishermen’s gate), at the junction of Panská and Laurinská streets. Just follow the crowds and as I already said, bring your camera! There’s often a street band playing in the...

Čumil is one of Bratislava’s most iconic and whimsical statues, located in the Old Town. Here’s a quick review:

Overview: Čumil, also known as “The Watcher” or “Man at Work,” is a bronze statue depicting a man peeking out of a manhole, smiling playfully at passersby. Installed in 1997, it’s become a beloved symbol of the city and a favorite photo spot for tourists.

What makes it special: • Humor and charm: Unlike grand monuments, Čumil is playful and approachable, adding a touch of humor to the city’s streets. • Photogenic location: Situated at the junction of Panská and Rybárska brána streets, it’s easy to stumble upon and makes for a fun and quirky photo opportunity. • Cultural symbol: Locals often joke about his backstory—some say he’s a worker resting, others say he’s spying, or even peeking up women’s skirts. The ambiguity adds to the fun.

Tips for Visitors: • Keep an eye out—he’s literally popping out of the street and easy to miss. • There’s a small sign warning pedestrians, as he has been “decapitated” a few times by cars. • Go early or late for unobstructed photos, as it gets crowded during peak hours.

Would you like a visual guide or map of where to find Čumil...

For luck, stroke the button on Chumil’s cap. This bronze handyman peeking out of a canal in the middle of the street is probably the most photographed sculpture of all.

Bronze sculpture of a man peeping out of the manhole. His name is Čumil and he is either resting after cleaning the sewer or is looking under women's skirts. After the statue had lost its head twice due to inattentive drivers, it was decided to place a unique road sign next to it.

Strange statues in Bratislava

After the political change they tried to revive the city not only by cleaning and repainting the rather cheerless buildings, but it by creating some strange statues, which are very popular among the tourists and give the town an additional surprising flair. The most famous of these are: Čumil the Peeper by Viktor Hulík, 1997. Paparazzi by Radko Mačuha. Schöner Náci by Juraj Meliš, 1997. Napoleon's Soldier by Juraj Meliš, 1997. Čumil, Schöner Náci and the Soldier were unveiled on 26 June 1997 at the occasion of the opening of the pedestrian zone of the old town center. Sculptor

Viktor Hulík (Bratislava 1949), Slovak...